Brookgreen Gardens celebrates Women in Business, as many work there in strong, supporting roles, while others are in upper management.
Brookgreen is a National Historic Landmark and 501(c)(3) organization. It was founded in 1931 by Anna Hyatt Huntington and Archer Huntington. The Gardens is home to the largest collection of American Figurative Sculpture in the U.S., and is a leader in sculpture conservation, environmental conservation and the protection of the plants, animals, and history of the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Brookgreen is open daily, providing cultural enrichment, creative education, and entertainment. It’s also touted as a top leader in conservation and sustainability and is one of the few institutions in the nation to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
In addition to being recognized as a leader in various fields by national publications, Brookgreen’s standout Night of a Thousand Candles has been featured on NBC’s Today Show and earned the S.C. Parks, Recreation and Tourism Bundy Award for Industry Leadership and Innovation.
“We are in an exciting time of growth for Brookgreen. The goals of the Campaign for the Next Generation will be the first major expansion of the Gardens in over 30 years. We have just opened Red Wolf Ridge, a new habitat for critically endangered red wolves; a new studio and sculpture conservation lab, the Simpson Art Center, is currently under construction and we hope to break ground on our planned conservatory, the Purdy Center, this fall.”
Brookgreen is also heavily involved in philanthropy.
“Brookgreen Buddies is a program where we give school supplies and offer mentoring to students from Maryville Elementary School in Georgetown. We participate in Pathways 2 Possibilities, the annual career fair for eighth grade students in surrounding counties. We partner with Tidelands Health on a Prescription Walking Program in which physicians can give a ‘prescription’ that provides patients with a 30-day pass to the Gardens and the opportunity for a discounted membership. Produce from Bethea’s Garden is shared with the Baskervill Food Pantry. Our Horticultural department partners with Huntington Beach State Park to restore Sea Beach Amaranth.We are actively involved with endangered and threatened species conservation, such as red wolves, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and river otters.”
As for advice for women starting out on their own, Brookgreen’s leaders suggest: “If you are interested in working in the nonprofit world, museums, or gardens, make sure to hone your business skills. Finance, negotiation, accounting, marketing, business management, event planning, leadership, and emotional intelligence are all skills that are needed.”
1931 Brookgreen Drive
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
(843) 235-6000
Brookgreen.org
